The triples was always going to be a big ask for Avenue on Little Compton’s favoured rink one and so it proved as Pete Hooper, Ron Walton and Phil Wadland went down 24-12 to G Huckfield, Dave Rushby and Neil Hancox.

Avenue’s ladies cruised through their Top Club clash at Royal Leamington Spa, however.

Lynn Houghton beat B Claridge 21-8 in the singles, while Yvonne Pick and Lisa Smith were comfortable 30-12 winners over C Brayne and Lyn Williams in the pairs.

A 24-16 win for Chris Barton’s rink over Elizabeth Glynne-Jones meant the triples was curtailed after 18 ends, with Binky Herbert taking it 21-15 over Margaret Lawson to get Spa on the board.